Combination binder and clip



Nov. 28, 1944.

I E. E. WARD 2,363,761

COMBINATION BINDER AND CLIP Filed May 21, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwm Emmeti E. ward NOV. 28, 1944. WARD 2,363,761

COMBINATION BINDER AND CLIP Filed May 21, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ji\ 7-7- I.

Emmett 3. we rd wwmwz;

, Patented Nov. 2 8 1944 y 2,363,761 COMBINATION BINDER ANDCLIP Emmett Ward, Stockton, Calif. Application May 21, 1943, Serial No. 487,877 r I This invention relates to-binders or folders such as are used forretaining-papers of difierent kindssuchas letters, invoices, etc., either in oflices or by salesmen in the field. u

The principal object of my invention is to provide a combination binder and clip which avoids the need of any metal or other relatively scarce material in its manufacture, and which does not increase the manufacturing cost over that of a plain binder or folder, andno waste or material is ever involvedin such manufacture.

Not only is the use of the usual metal orsubstitute-material clips avoided, but .the papers may be placed on or removed fromthebinder easier than is the case with such usual clips, and such papers are as effectivel held, whether one or a considerable number of papers are mounted in the binder. This result is obtained by forming the clip structure integralwiththe binder, in such a way that the clips may be used or manipulated many times without failure, so that ordinarily they may be considered good for the life of the binder itself. 1

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:' 1

Figure 1 is a fragmentary inside view of the binder equipped with one form of clip.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the clipsasin use.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross section on the line 3-3 of Fi 2. y 9

Figure 4 is a fragmentary inside view of a binder showing amodified combination arrangement of clips.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing a further modified positioning of the clip-tabs.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan showing a reinforced tab.

Referring now more particularly to the characters or reference on the drawings, and particularly at present to Figs. 1 to 3, the binder includes as usual front and back covers I and 2 made of light and flexiblebut tough cardboard,

and hinged adjacent their vertical edge as at 3 for folding movement. i

Stamped from the cover 2' are relatively long parallel clip tabs 4, extending downwardly some distance from a point relativel close to the top.

,3 Qlaims. (01. 129-41) ing tothe punchings 5 of the loose leaves or papers B which the binder is arranged to hold.

The tabs are pointed as at l on their lower end and are free of the cover throughout their extent, except at' thetop where they are made somewhat wider for strength, as at 8, and remain integral with the cover along a lin 9 extendingparallel to the top edgeof the cover.

The tabs, while initially remaining in the slots illformedin the cover by thelstamping ofthe tabs, may be bent upwardly at a point adjacent their connected ends and-passed through the punchings in any desired number of papers. Between the upper connected ends of the tabs and thetop edge of the cover 2 and in vertical alinement with the tabs, said cover is provided with short pairs of parallel transversely extending slits ll forming straps i2 therebetween which remain edge of the cover, and spaced apart correspondconnected at their ends with the cover.

These straps are adapted to receive the free endsof the tabsthereunder in order to bindthe papers '6 in place.

made, enables the tabs to bebent or folded many times without any tendency to tear across or suffer material deterioration.

In the form of the device shown in Fig. 4, the binder cover 2a is formed with a pair of horizontally extending, tabs l 4, as well as with a pair of parallel vertical tabs 4a. The integral or connected ends 15 of the tabs M, which project in opposite directions or away from each other, are somewhat further apart than the tabs 4a so that the one binder may be used for papers having different punch spacings.

In order to engage and hold the free ends of either pair of tabs when the latter are passed through the papers, a pair of crossing slit units are stamped through the cover 20!. in line with the tabs 4a and above the same, as well as above the tabs i4; so that said slit units are exposed above the held papers irrespective of which pair of tabs is used. The crossed slits provide for the ready slipping orthreading of the tabs gagement with either pair of tabs.

In order to prevent undesired slip-, ping and withdrawal of the tabs from engagement with the straps, said tabs after being passed As stated, the cover and tab material is of a nature to withstand considerable manipulation and wear, but if desired the pointed ends of the tabs may be metal sheathed, as at I9, or"

otherwise reinforced to stiffen the same in order to facilitate the threading of the tabs through the straps or slits and prevent possible collapse of the tab points.

From the foregoing description it will be read-- ily seen that I have produced-sucha deviceas substantially fulfills the" objects of the invention as set forth herein. 1

l Whileq this specification sets forth in detail the presentand preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a, de-

parture from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. g

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz r I) A combination binder and clip comprising av binder sheet on which to rest a punched paper to be bound, a pair of parallel flexible and bendable tabs disposed in predetermined spaced re lationand extending downwardly relative to the topedge of the sheet and connected to the sheet only at theirends nearest said: top edge, the tabs diverging from said ends, the sheet'having a pair of parallel slits cut therethrough between the top edge of the sheet and the connected ends of the tabs centrally therebetween to form a strap for the passage thereunder of the free ends of both tabs.

2. A self-contained loose leaf binder comprising a flat substantially rectangular holder sheet, an elongated tab blanked out of such sheet and connected therewith at one end of the tab only, such connected end lying adjacent to but spaced from one edge of the sheet, a relatively short strip blanked out of the sheet and connected at both ends to the sheet, such strip lying in the space between the fastened end of the tab and the edge of the sheet which is adjacent the fastened end of the tab, the distance between the strip and connectedend of the tab and the length of the tab being such that the tab may be proj'ected upwardly through perforations in a number ofloose leaf sheets and then under the strip whereby to hold such loose leaf sheets together on the holder sheet.

3. A self-contained. loose leaf binder comprising a flat substantially rectangular holder sheet, an elongated tab blanked outof such 'sheettand connected therewith at one end ofv the tabonly, such connected end lying adjacent to butspaced from one edgeof the sheet, a relatively'short strip blanked out of: the sheet and connected at both ends to the sheet, such strip lying inthe space between the fastenedend of the tab and the edge of the sheet which is adjacen'tthe-fastened end of the tab, the distance between vthe strip and connected end of the tab and the length of the tab being such that the tabimay be projected upward-1y through perforations in: a number of loose leaf. sheets and; thenunder the strip and back of the holder sheet;-;then over the edge of the latter and back; underthe strip whereby to, hold such loose leaf sheets toe gether on the holdersheet. E. v 1 

